If you’ve been stopping by here for a while, you may recall my enthusiasm when I first discovered Target’s ITSO line of storage products. Since that time, I have been slowly but surely incorporating ITSO into various areas in my own home, and the homes of my clients. In the spirit of organizing creatively, I thought it would be fun to share ten reasons I love ITSO…and ten ways you could use the small ITSO bin around your home. Sound fun? Let’s go!
ITSO helpful in the office—especially if your office is in the kitchen
Even if you have a home office, at some point paper most likely finds its way into your kitchen. Right? But not to worry—ITSO can help. Here are some ways to use ITSO to organize your paper…whether it’s in your kitchen or your office.
1. Household Hub. One of the first reasons, ITSO caught my eye is because I had been on an extensive search for a container that would work as a file basket. I purchased my file basket (which you can see here) at World Market several years ago. It’s the ideal size for organizing file folders for all those pieces of paper that would otherwise be cluttering up your desk or kitchen counter. Unfortunately, it’s no longer available at World Market, but an ITSO bin is a terrific alternative.
2. Errand center. You’ve seen this one before, but truly, what’s not to love about a solution that makes meal planning and errand running a notch easier? So here’s the errand mini zone again.
ITSO handy in the kitchen
You could use ITSO to organize your pantry or refrigerator. But why stop there? While you’re at it why not add a few ITSO’s in your freezer. Because the ITSO bin is long, it’s perfect for your deep storage spaces in the kitchen—like the pantry, refrigerator, and even under the sink. Suddenly…nothing gets lost in the back of the cabinet or fridge any more. How great is that? Here are some photos…
3. Pantry organizer. I use ITSO bins in the pantry to corral baking mixes, water bottles, to-go coffee cups, Flat Belly Diet foods, etc. You could also use it for potatoes and onions, or any small item in your pantry that would help from being corralled together — maybe picnic supplies like plastic cups and utensils?
4. Refrigerator organizer. I use small ITSO trays in the refrigerator. My favorite one is the dairy tray—it’s now always easy to find the sour cream and yogurt…and there’s no more unpleasant surprises when we open up the cottage cheese container. (Woohoo!)
5. Freezer organizer. I also have one ITSObin in the freezer for baking items (fillo dough, butter, etc.) but you could also use them for frozen veggies or fruit.
ITSO portable
Sometimes we need our storage solutions to go along for a ride with us. So why not use an ITSO bin as an on-the-go project bin or vehicle organizer.
6. On-the-go-project bin. I used an ITSO bin last time I did a Week in the Life scrapbook project…and it was great. It allowed me to journal and other scrapbooking activities while in my car waiting for soccer practice to end. 12” x 12” cardstock fits in here perfectly…so just think of the possibilities in your craft room…
7. Vehicle organizer. If your kids spend a lot of time in the car—whether for family vacations or just driving around town during the week to and from practices or other activities—a well stocked car can make the journey more enjoyable for both Mother and child. Why not stock an ITSO bins with snacks or coloring books and crayons, or books or even small toys?
ITSO fabulous in your craft room as a…
8. Yarn organizer. Fall means knitting season for me…and ITSO is a handy way to keep your yarn and / or knitting projects organized.
9. Greeting card organizer. Whether you’re a card maker or just like to stock up on greeting cards so you’re always ready for an unexpected card sending event…ITSO is a great way to keep your cards organized. You could make some divider tabs out of card-stock and paper punches. And if you’re feeling really inspired, why not add a pen, stamps and your address book and turn your ITSO bin into correspondence mini zone. Card sending just got a notch easier. 😉
10. ITSO perfect in the IKEA Expedit. That’s right—two small ITSO bins fit perfectly side-by-side in an Expedit. Woohoo!
The best part of all, ITSO bins will have you saying…My house—ITSO organized!
It (so) your turn now. 😉 I would love to hear from you. Do you use ITSO bins? If so, what do you use them for? Or…if you haven’t used one yet, what do you think? Are you inspired to give them a try?
No fair *pouting*! We don’t have Target in Canada 🙁 But we do have plenty of plastic storage containers or baskets.
I love the idea of putting the sour cream and cottage cheese together. Otherwise they drift to the back or away from each other and then…yuck! I do keep things like your baking supplies example together and love that.
This makes me want to jump in the car and head to Target tonight. Can I ask where you got the labels that you use for the food-related bins?
@ej215,
The labels are available on our site here: http://shop.simplify101.com/stay-organized-with-labels-s/34.htm
Thanks!
Aby
After seeing your photographs I am inspired and will be getting some. I am most interested in organizing our refrigerator and kitchen cabinets. I regularly organize them because they don’t stay that way. Hopefully the containers will help. I love all the photographs and your blog. I can’t wait for your book to be re released. It is on my wishlist.
@ TracyBzz, I’m so sorry you don’t have Target in Canada. But…glad to know you’re not comletely without plastic storage containers and baskets. 😉 That would be true tragedy.
Great to hear from you! Thanks for you comment.
Aby
@ Christine,
Thanks for your comment! I’m excited for the book to be re-released, too. 🙂
Aby
Can you tell me what the name of the font is on your labels..it’s so cute! P.S. I stumbled upon your blog today and am IN LOVE!!
@Cori, Welcome! So glad you submled upon my blog today! The font on my labels is called CK journaling.
thanks!
Aby
Aby-I am currently taking two of your on line workshops -I am so impressed by the motivation I have since beginning these workshops. I only bought the ITSO tonight after reading this -I also got the large bin with the lid -that is where my papers will go that I need to shred/recycle. I’m sure I will need to get other large bins for plastics/glass/others But I like that the lid does not have to be taken off to throw items in the container -Also got some of the smaller bins -to hold folders and cards -Thank you so much for helping me to get organized
I am inspired to use them now. I have never thought about using an organizer in the fridge. What a great idea!
Hi Aby
Where do you get that CK Journaling font? It is SO CUTE!
I think I may have died and gone to heaven…my heart is racing really fast right now. It’s probably a good thing we don’t have Target here in Canada 🙂
Hi, JulieJ,
I have a CD called The Best of Creative Lettering combo. You can buy the CD here: http://www.shopscrapandpapercorner.com/product/Best-of-Creative-Lettering-Combo-1/creating-keepsakes
The font is from Creating Keepsakes…and it looks like the offer free font downloads on their site by joining their Club CK. http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/index.html
You could also try googling CK Journaling Font and see if there are other places you can get this font for less than buying the full CD (with lots of fonts.)
Thanks,
Aby
LOL on your fast racing heart, OrgJunkie. 😉
Oh, thanks for all the pictures and ideas! 🙂
We have two Itso bins in the shelves in my son’s closet, holding his books and High Five magazines. They are easy enough for him to pull out and push back in, and keep the books from being scattered to the seven seas! LOVE the fridge ideas! Might have to make a trip down that aisle this week!
Which section of Target did you get the baskets? Haven’t seen them in mine, but maybe I’m not looking in the right places. I try not to let myself wander too much. It’s dangerous on the budget! 🙂
They’re ugly.
Wow, I love these ideas! I haven’t seen these at Target but I’ll have to check it out. I really like that errand center. I’d love to put my menu planner somewhere.
It’s a shame I have to wait 10 plus hours until Target opens tomorrow. I have expedit bookcases on almost every wall of my craft room. Loved how you used the containers in the fridge and freezer. Thanks for the ideas!